Bayanihan in full display

THE FORT

Forget about those few who capitalized on selling a face mask for 600 pesos. Never mind those who romanticized with the photos of the gigantic mushroom clouds during the phreatic eruption of Taal volcano. Once again, the goodness within us Filipinos exhibited during the violent discharge of the active crater.

The horror seen on various TV news reports was reminiscent during the Pinatubo era. The trees bowed down to the weight of the ashes and the colorful landscape of the region blanketed by melancholic gray taking away its breathtaking vi ew s.

But despite all these, we displayed to the world why foreigners and tourists keep going back to the Philippines. It’s because of our core values… the true Filipino within us. In unedited live broadcast, we showed how ‘bayanihan’works during trying times.

A group of men with motorized power sprays started helping the drivers create a better view by spraying water on the windshields… for free. Other locals who own the same equipment and who reside along the main roads started to do the same without asking for anything in return.

It’s not business as usual for Castillo family who owns a small eatery in Bauan, Batangas. They opened their place and services not to get customers but to offer free food for the evacuees of the eruption. May God bless them.

In the metro, an Angkas rider was seen stopping to offer face masks for free for pedestrians along the sidewalk. The same scene has been shown where people were giving away brand new face masks to commuters.

In Pampanga, Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda created a team composed of 234 personnel and 56 vehicles to lend a helping hand in areas affected by unrest of Taal. The Kapampangans who survived the Pinatubo eruption understand what the affected people are going through. In Angeles City, residents in Brgy. Balibago were very thankful to Mr. Johnny Uy for opening his grocery store because the markets were all closed during the 1991 calamity.

Most of the time, the worst of times often bring out the best in people. There is goodness in our hearts. What a wonderful world it would be if we all practice this even to the best of times.

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Kuya J Pelayo IV is a Kapampangan broadcast journalist. For comments and suggestions, email at 4th.pelayo@gmail.com